While iOS 6.1 brought several widely publicized new features such as support for several dozen new LTE carriers and new support for ordering Fandango movie tickets through Siri in the United States, a number of other minor changes were also included in the update. Given the frequency with which our readers have been pointing some of them out, we thought it would be appropriate to make note of them in a brief roundup.

- Lock screen music controls: The music controls on the iPhone's lock screen have been enhanced as noted by TUAW, bringing them in line with those in the Music app.

The shortcut controls, accessed by pressing the home button twice while on the lock screen, have adopted both the look and layout of the Music app. One notable change is that the previous and next buttons are now much further apart from the play/pause button, making them much less likely to be pressed accidentally.

The volume knob also copies the Music app's visual trick of using the phone's accelerometer to vary the angle of virtual reflections on it.

- Maps "Report a Problem" button: Apple has tweaked the "Report a Problem" button in its Maps app, accessible in the preferences section by tapping at the lower right corner of the map page. The option had previously been a small text link, but Apple has now made it a much more prominent and accessible button which is actually now the largest button on the page.

- Rapid diagonal swiping issue improved: Several readers have noted that an issue with rapid diagonal swiping on the iPhone 5 and fifth-generation iPod touch resulting in loss of touch recognition appears to have been fixed or at least improved in iOS 6.1. Not all readers have experienced improvements, however, with some indicating that performance remains the same under iOS 6.1.

The shadows serve no purpose, why are they wasting more time on that waste of time. Particularly given the bad taste left behind by so much effort out into it for the original release that was full of serious bugs.

The shadows serve no purpose, why are they wasting more time on that waste of time. Particularly given the bad taste left behind by so much effort out into it for the original release that was full of serious bugs.

I'm also able to control my music from my iPhone when it's connected via usb in my car. It used to say accessory connected and I either had to use the car controls or select my music then plug it in. I love this!

Hallelujah! I'm sure a lot of people will consider this an insignificant update, but it's a big improvement for me.

I listen to a lot of audiobooks. I can't tell you how many times I've accidentally hit the forward or backward button instead of the play/pause button and then spent several minutes trying to find where I was in the book.

Another "tidbit" in iOS 6.1 that I'm surprised hasn't been reported on:

Quote:

With the release of iOS 6.1 on Monday, Apple addressed a potentially serious bug introduced in iOS 6 that would override a user's Mobile Safari JavaScript settings after visiting a webpage with a so-called "Smart App Banner."

Since Apple enabled Lock Screen track and pause controls I've felt that the three buttons were much too close.
I've been using a jailbreak fix for a year or two. Good they adjusted this for those who are in jail.

The podcast app is the most obvious example of Apple's horribly dysfunctional software design. I hope this app is the last of the legacy of Scott Forstall.

The interface is nothing like any other Apple app. It is not intuitive to use or easy to figure out how to use. The control layout not consistent with any other app. The controls themselves are tiny little buttons and hard to hit with an adult fingertip. The relationship between Library, playlist, and episode is so disjointed and without flow. Oh! But it's got a really ridiculous skeuomorphic reel-to-reel tapedeck animation when you finally succeed in getting a podcast to play. Super. Right now while trying to write about it, I feel myself getting more confused as I try to explain why I think this app is just bad.

So, it's super that a couple of buttons got moved apart in iTunes. Now deal with this tangled rat's nest that is the podcast app.

The reflection has been in since iOS 6 came out, just only within the Music app (and possibly Podcast...?).

Complaining about how much time they spent on this "feature" is a moot point, as they most certainly just copied the code over from these other apps and replaced the existing button. Come down from your soapbox and put the razorblade down, chicken little. The sky is not falling.

The podcast app is the most obvious example of Apple's horribly dysfunctional software design. I hope this app is the last of the legacy of Scott Forstall.

The interface is nothing like any other Apple app. It is not intuitive to use or easy to figure out how to use. The control layout not consistent with any other app. The controls themselves are tiny little buttons and hard to hit with an adult fingertip. The relationship between Library, playlist, and episode is so disjointed and without flow. Oh! But it's got a really ridiculous skeuomorphic reel-to-reel tapedeck animation when you finally succeed in getting a podcast to play. Super. Right now while trying to write about it, I feel myself getting more confused as I try to explain why I think this app is just bad.

So, it's super that a couple of buttons got moved apart in iTunes. Now deal with this tangled rat's nest that is the podcast app.

<steps down from soapbox of rant, picks up espresso, and slinks away>

i don't use the podcast app. i tried it for a few days, then quickly went back to the music app. now my issue is with wifi syncing. worked fine in iOS 5, still doesn't work properly in iOS 6.

Hallelujah! I'm sure a lot of people will consider this an insignificant update, but it's a big improvement for me.

I listen to a lot of audiobooks. I can't tell you how many times I've accidentally hit the forward or backward button instead of the play/pause button and then spent several minutes trying to find where I was in the book.

This happens to me all the time. I'm excited too... small as it is this is an important update to me.